460 OGLETHORPE COUNTY. 



sir, I understand that you nominated me in the Senate of the 

 United States, to be Governor of the Mississippi Territory, 

 and that afterwards you took back the nomination. Sir, if 

 you had known me, you would not have taken the nomination 

 back. If you did not know me you should not have nomi- 

 nated me to so important an office. Now, sir, unless you can 

 satisfy me, your station of President of these United States 

 shall not screen you from my vengeance." Mr. Adams, ac- 

 cordingly, set about satisfying him ; which he did with the 

 more good will on account of the Governor being known to 

 be a stanch Federalist. Upon inquiring after Gov. Matthews' 

 sons, and receiving a most laudatory description of them, he 

 promised to appoint his son John supervisor of the public re- 

 venue in Georgia. Upon which the Governor expressed him- 

 self as content, saying, "My son John is a man about my 

 inches, with the advantages of a liberal education, and for his 

 integrity I pledge my head." 



The first business before the Legislature of 17 — , after the 

 organization, was to determine whether Gov. Matthews was 

 to be considered Governor. Whilst engaged in this discussion, 

 the Clerk of the House went into the Executive Office ; the 

 Governor accosted him, saying — " What are these fellows 

 about that they do not let me know that they are organized 

 and ready to receive my message ?" The Clerk told him the 

 members were discussing whether they should recognize him 

 as Governor. " By the Eternal !" exclaimed the Governor, 

 " if they don't I will cut an avenue from this office through 

 them." 



In the life of Greene, by Johnson, the salvation of the Ame- 

 rican army at Brandywine is ascribed to the good conduct 

 of two regiments, one of which was commanded by Matthews, 

 A county in Virginia was named after him. 



Manufactures. — The war of the Revolution left the people 

 of Virginia penniless, and restless in spirit. They had made 

 great exertions, and sacrificed much to obtain independence. 

 Most of the luxuries, and many of the necessaries of life, had been 

 derived from abroad, purchased by their tobacco and flour. 

 The war cut oflf exportation. The merchants owned but few 

 trading vessels, and these few their country could not defend. 



